Free Forgotten Dreams by Eleanor Woods Page B

shoulders," she told him as she caught him tight around the waist and tried to compensate for the almost comical disparity in their heights. "Walk slowly, and please be careful of the steps," she cautioned. "They'll be slippery as glass from the dew."
    "You're such a tiny thing," he said, smiling down at her. "Are you sure you can get me up to the porch?" With that question, his arm about her shoulders tightened and Toni found herself glued to his side.
    His touch seemed to burn right through her clothes and sear her skin from shoulder to thigh. At her at-
    tempt to lessen the body contact, Christian swayed dangerously, and Toni found herself clutching him and holding on for dear life.
    "I should have called Brent out here," she said worriedly after getting the two of them standing upright again and lined up with the wide steps. "That shot made you as drunk as a Bourbon Street bum."
    "But it's gotten you in my arms ... or rather me in yours, hasn't it?" He grinned crookedly. Before Toni could do more than stare helplessly up at him, he dipped his head and delivered a loud, smacking kiss that landed on the side of her nose. "Oops." He chortled. "My vitamins are working, but my aim is off."
    "Cute," Toni remarked disgustedly as she led, pushed, and tugged him toward the porch and up the steps. "Other people are sitting by a cozy fire reading a good book or watching their favorite TV show. Me? I'm having to deal with a drunken maniac who can't hit his behind with both hands, but who's still trying to retain the crown of Mr. Playboy!"
    "Tsk, tsk." Christian grinned wickedly and wagged a long, square-tipped finger beneath her nose. "Just because ol' Steven didn't come through for you doesn't mean all men are duds."
    "I can't tell you how reassuring that bit of information is, Christian. It really warms my heart." Toni glared at him. She maneuvered him so that he was
    standing with his back to the wall beside the door,then placed a palm flat against his chest with the terse order to "Stay put." She held out her other hand. "I
    need the key."
     
    "Forget the damn key," he muttered as he reached out with both arms and pulled her to him. "I want to kiss you."
    Toni thoughtfully nibbled at one comer of her bottom lip as she stared up at him. The entire situation was ridiculous and had become rather comical. For the life of her, she found herself unable to stay mad at him. "Don't you ever give up?" she asked, struggling to keep from laughing.
     
    "Never!" he declared as emphatically as his befuddled mind would allow him. "We Barr men are famous for our virility, determination, and the ability to pick a pretty lass with a trim ... er ... ankle."
    "A trim ankle?" she squeaked incredulously, then burst out laughing, "You sound like a not so very good pirate."
    "I'm a descendant of a varied and exciting line," he solemnly declared.
    "Oh, I'm sure you must be," Toni said with a nod. "But before you catch pneumonia and end such an illustrious line, don't you think we should get you inside and to bed."
    "Not without a kiss."
    "You've already tried and failed."
    "You weren't standing still. It was like trying to kiss a damned bobbing target."
    "Getting excited isn't what you need at the moment."
    "I'll risk it." He smiled lazily and Toni caught the flash of white teeth as his head swooped downward and his mouth caught hers.
    She was afraid to fight him, she told herself as she felt his lips against hers. They could easily wind up in a tangled heap on the floor. But after only a moment of the gentle teasing and tasting of his tongue as it sought entrance to the warm darkness of her mouth, she found she didn't want to fight him.
     
    He was gentle but demanding, and she felt herself responding easily and with a depth of emotion that surprised her. There was nothing hurried or frantic as his tongue entered her mouth, searching, probing, and awakening slumbering desires within her.
    Toni felt the blood coursing in her veins with a swiftness she'd